Jan 18, 2002

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Cowen, is expected to discuss human rights issues when he meets Chinese leaders during a visit to Beijing next week.

The Minister is likely to raise the issue of the jailed Falun Gong practitioner and Trinity College student, Mr. Zhao Ming, during planned meetings with the Chinese Premier, Mr. Zhu Rongji, or with the Chinese Foreign Minister.

Amnesty International has repeatedly called on Mr. Cowen to pressurize the Chinese government into releasing Mr. Zhao who is reported to be detained in a labor camp. He was arrested in Beijing when he traveled to China last year for a Christmas holiday.

[...]